Machine for weaving insulating-coverings on electrical conductors



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O. T. STETSON. v MACHINE FOR- WEAVING INSULATING GOVERINGS 0N ELECTRICAL GONDUGTORS. -No. 425,056. 7 Patented Apr. 8, 1890;

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0. T. STETSON. MACHINE FOR WEAVING INSULATING GOVERI-NGS 0N ELECTRICAL GONDUGTORS. v

Patented Apr. '8, 1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES T. STETSON, OF HANSON, MASSACHUSETTS.

MACHINE FOR WEAVING INSULATING-COYERINGS ON, ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 425,056, dated April 8, T890.

Application filed August 30, 1889. Serial No. 322,466. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, CHARLES '1. STETsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hanson, in the county of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for WVe aving Insulating-Coverings on Electrical Conductors, of which the following is a full specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a machine embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional plan, partly broken Fig. 3 is an elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 2. Fig. at is a plan view of part of the machine. Figs. 5 and (i show in elevation and plan, respectively, the shuttle-frame and adjacent parts of the machine. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view showing how the inner end of the shuttleframe is prevented from rising from the track. Fig. 8 shows the action of part of the wirefeeding mechanism. Fig. 9 shows in section, on an enlarged scale, the connection of the connecting-bars with the wheel of the friction-feed. Fig. 10 shows the action of the shuttle-driving frame in propelling the shuttle-frame. Figs. 11 and 12 are front and side Views, respectively, of the friction-feed, the latter being shown partly in section; and Fig. 13 is a plan view of the shuttle-driving frame.

My invention consists of an improved machine for covering wire with a woven coating of insulating material in a manner hereinafter described.

The frame of the machine consists of the legs A bolted to the lower horizontal plate H, the pillars A,secured to the plate H and supporting the upper horizontal plate H, and, finally, the part A, resting upon and secured to the said plate H.

B and B are revoluble vertical hollow shafts in line with each other, the shaft B turning in an elongated bearing in the part A of the frame, while the shaft B is supported in bearings in the plates H and H Power is transmitted to the machine through the main shaft M Fig. 1, and by means of the beveled gears Z Z, mounted on the shafts vals in the shelf 0, running'around the machine, the said shelf being supported by brackets 0, Fig. 4, secured to the plate H. Passing from the spool, each warp-thread runs through suitable guiding-eyes and tension devices P 19 1319 19 is then threaded through an eye a in the top of a heddle-rod N, and thence passes to the center of the machine, where the weaving is done.

The machine herewith shown contains thirty-two warp-spools, and of course an equal numberof heddle-rods N. These heddle-rods move up and down, guided in holes in the upper and lower horizontal plates H H, being actuated by a crank and connecting-rod motion derived from a series of wheels F, eight of which are shown in the present machine. These wheels F are fixed on shafts F, mounted in suitable bearings, four of the shafts being here shown as having bearings in the legs A of the machine, while the other four are journaled in intermediate hangers A bolted to the plate H. On the inner end of'each shaft F, bearing a wheel F, is fixed a bevel-gear f, which meshes with a bevel gear-wheel L, fixed on the revoluble shaft B, thereby conveying a continuous rotary motion from the said shaft B to the wheels F. The motion of the heddle-rods will be best understood by reference to Figs. 2 and 3. These rods N are connected in pairs by couplings n it. Each wheel F operates four heddle-rods N, or two pairs. The inner pairs of heddle-rods are connected by couplings n, and each of these couplings n is pivoted to the upper end of a connecting-rod N the lower end of which is pivotally connected at f to one of the wheels F near the rim thereof.

The connecting-rods N pass through slots 01 in the lower horizontal plate ll.

F is a bar rigidly fixed to each of the wheels F at f, (the pivot on which turns the connecting-rod Ni) so that the said bar F turns with the wheel F. At the outer end of each bar F is pivoted the lower end of a connecting-rod N, the upper end of which is pivoted to the coupling 01, the couplings '11 connecting the outer pairs of heddles, and the connecting-rods N passing outside the rim of the horizontal plate 11. The bars F are set out from the surface of the wheels F, as shown, the construction being such as to e11- able the two connecting-rods N N to pass each other without interference as the wheel F revolves, the effect being otherwise the same as if each were directly pivoted to the said wheel F.

Yletween the bottom of the hollow vertical shaft 3 and the top of the shaft 13' a space is left in which the weaving is accomplished, the wire to be covered being fed down through the hollow shafts ll 13 by means to be hereinafter described.

I -may employ one or several shuttles, according as may be desired. In the machine here shown four shuttles are used, this being a convenient number. Each shuttle consists of a bobbin or weft-spool I, journaled in bearings in the shuttle-frame 1', the said frame being provided with guide-wheels, whereby it may move in a circular path. The shuttleframc rests directly on three wheels, two of which 2" are journaled at the outer end of the frame to roll over the circular track while the thirdwheel i is near the inner end of the bobbin and moves over the inner circular track 6''. The shuttle-fra1ne is controlled horizontally by means of the wheel i which rolls horizontally in a circular groove in the piece E, the said groove being formed by the track 6 and a corresponding inner circular ridge 0, as shown in Figs. 5 and (3. The outer end of the shuttle-frame is prevented from rising from the track by means of the flanged circular guard E, which passes completely around and is secured to the track, and the top or flange of which forms a rim over the wheels i.

The shuttles are propelled by means of the shuttle-driving frame I), which is secured to the revolublc shaft 13, as shown in Fig. 1, to turn therewith, and which has a number of radial armsone for each of the shuttles. Each arm has jonrnaled therein a spindle, on which is fixed the shuttle-driving wheel (Z at the outer end of the arm, and the bevel-gear d at the inner end thereof, the gears (Z meshin g with the stationary bevel-gear I), fixed to the frame A, so that as the shuttle-driving frame revolves with the shaft B each of the driving-wheels (Z is given a rotary motion. Each arm of the shuttlc-driveris furthermore provided with a bracket (1, on which is j on rnaled a wheel (1 in such a position that both the wheel (1" and the driving-wheel d are in rolling contact with the wheel 2' journaled to the shuttle-frame I, so that as the drivingframe I) revolves the shuttles are propelled by it in a manner. readily understood by reference to Fig. 10.

Ina vertical plane with each of the warpthreads as they radiate from the center of the machine to the spools (I is made a slit 6 through the guard E and through both the circular tracks, these slits beingmade for the warp-threads to pass through as the heddlcrods carry them up and down, and being of sufficient depth to enable the wheel to pass safely over the under threads forming the shed.

Around the guard E and above the slits c are arranged the loop-shaped pieces a to form upward extensions of said slits, thcparticular use of which extensions will presently be explained. From each shuttle-spool the weft-thread passes through the eye 71 in the side of the shuttle-frame, thence through and under the tension-plate'11, and through the inner eye to the point of weaving. The shed through which the shuttles pass is formed by the raising and lowering of the warp-threads by the heddle-rods N, which rise and fall in the manner previously described, the said rods being clamped to the couplings n 71 at such positions as to operate the warps properly with reference to the revolving shuttles. It is necessary that as each warp -thread reaches its extreme upper or lower position in the shed it remains for a short time in this position while the shut-tle is passing, instead of at once beginning to descend or ascend. It is evident that by reason of the continuous crank and connecting-rod motion, by which the heddle-rods are actuated, the said rods on reaching their highest point will begin almost innnediately to descend, and vice versa.

It is for the purpose of securing a still spot when the warp-threads are at their highest position during the passage of the shuttle that I employ the loop-shaped elongations c to the slits c, for when, as shown clearly in Fig. 5, the warp-thread has reached the top of the loop 0 it can go no higher, but remains in this position, while the heddle-rod N, through which it is threaded, keeps on to the end of its upward stroke and. for some little distance on its descent. In a similar manner I gain a still spot at the lowest position of the warp-thread in the shed. in this lowest position. the said warp-thread is preferably horizontal and is at the bottom of the slit (2, remaining still in this position while the hcddle-rod N descends to the end of its downward stroke and for a short distance upon its ascent. It is while adjacent threads are at their respective stillv spots at the top and bottom of the shed that the shuttle passes through between them. The slack in each warp-thread is taken up by the coiled spring 1), at the end of an arm of which is the eye p through which the said warpthrcad is passed after passing through and under the tension-plate P. The outer end of the shuttle is prevented from flying up from the track, as was previously explained, by the rimmed guard E. As an'additional safety device, I employ a guard-wheel 2', journaled in a piece 1 secured to the shuttle-frame. Above this is the shoe-shaped piece 01 which projects downward from the shuttle-driving frame over the said wheel 1', and thus prevents'the inner end of the shuttle-frame from leaving the track.

In machines ordinarily used for circular weaving the heddles are usually operated more or less indirectly by a cam. It is very difficult in such machines to employ successa fully more than two shuttles, on: account of the great complication required in the beddle-operating cam in order to move the heddles up and down with sufficient speed to be adapted for several shuttles.

By my improved heddle-operating mechanism,in which no cam-motion is used,I-am enabled easily to employ four shuttles, and even more, if desired. By using four shuttles I double the production of a two-shuttle machine working at the same speed. Hence the great importance of this form of heddle-motion is readily apparent.

The wire to be covered is fed down from above through the revoluble shafts B B, the feeding mechanism being adjustable both in respect to speed and as regards adaptability to feed wire of various sizes.

At the outer end of the shaft S, which derives its motion through the gears s s from the vertical shaft S, as already explained, is fixed the wheel B, through the face of which runs diametrically the groove r,which has tapering sides, being wider at the bottom than at the top.

K is a hollow cylindrical casing secured at 7; to the shaft K and containing a double friction-feed of any desired construction. The one here shown consists of a number of wedge-shaped blocks 71:, arranged in two rows separated by a washer K the inner pointed ends of which blocks are loosely seated in notches in the hubs of two arms T T, which hubs loosely fit the end of the spindle K being retained thereon byanut at the end of the shaft. The outer faces of the blocks k- 70 frictionallybear against the inner surface of the flange of the casing K when the arms T T move in one direction; but under the influence of the springs k attached to pins 70 when the said arms move in an opposite direction the said blocks slip back along the flange without bearing against it, the parts being so arranged that as the arms T T vibrate on the shaft K as a center the cylindrical casing K is moved in one direction and with it the shaft K The outer ends of the arms T T are pivoted to connecting-bars T T respectively, the inner ends of both of which bars are pivotallyconnected at 0", one above the other, in the manner shown in Fig. 9, to a block R,

which slides within the groove 0", the parts being so connected that by loosening the single nut r the distance of the block from the center of the wheel R maybe varied and the block clamped in any desired position by tightening the said nut, while still allowing the connecting-bars T T to move pivotally. As the wheel R revolves, a vibratory motion is given to the arms T T which thus turns the shaft K intermittingly in one direction.

On the inner end of the shaft K is the screw 9 Fig. 8, which engages with the wormwheel G on the same spindle g with one of the feed-pulleys G.

G G are corresponding gear-wheels meshing together, one fixed 011 the same spindle g with the feed-pulley G, the other 011 the spindle g with the feed-pulley G. By this construction the wire is fed downward between the two pulleys G G, the speed, varying with the distance of the sliding block R from the center of the wheel B, being greatest when the block is at the outer rim of the wheel.

The feed is adjustable to different-sized wire by varying the distance between the two pulleys G G in a manner understood by reference to Figs. 4 and 8. The spindle g bearingthe feed-pulley G, is journaled in movable bearing-blocks, one of which g slides on the support g while the other g turns on a pivot g. By means of the thumb-screw g acting on the block g the distance between the feed-pulleys may be sufficiently varied to feed wire of different sizes. A thick insulating adhesive fluid of any desired composition is preferably fed down through the shaft B along the wire Q, and over this fluid substance the woven covering is directly laid, thus causing the said covering to firmlyadhere to the wire, and at the same time insuring much more perfect insulation, The fluid material is preferably contained in a receptacle J at thetop of the machine, and by turning a cock j in a faucet j near the bottom of the receptacle, the said faucet communicating with the interior of the hollow shaft 13, the supply of insulating-fluid fed down the wire may be regulated.

I claim 1. A machine for weaving insulated-wire covering, provided with a heddle mechanism consisting of independent vertically-reciprocating eontin uously-movable heddle-rods actuated by a continuous rotary crank andconnesting-rod motion, substantiallyas described.

2. In a machine for weaving insulated-wire covering, a heddle mechanism consisting of independent vertically-guided heddle-rods coupled in pairs, connecting-rods pivoted to the couplings of each pair of heddle-rods,

, and continuously-revoluble shafts arranged whereby each shaft actuates by a continuous rotary crank-motion a pair of said connecting-rods, substantially as described.

3. In a machine for weaving insulated-wire covering, the combination, with verticallymovable reciprocating heddle-rods having eyes for receiving the warp-threads, of stationary arrests above and below each warpthread to stop the motion of the said warpthread before the heddle reaches the end of its stroke, thereby forming a still spot, substantially as and for the purposes described.

4. In a machine for weaving insulated-wire covering, the combination, with reciprocating heddlc-rods provided with eyes, of shuttletracks and a guard provided with slits for guiding the warp-threads, whereby the ends of the slits arrest the motion of the said and heddle-rods N, arranged in pairs and conthreads before the end of the stroke of the heddle-rods, thereby forming a still spot at each end of the stroke, substantially as and for the purposes described.

5. In a machine for weaving insulated-wire covering, a shuttleframe provided with wheels 1', in combination with a circular track provided with the circular flanged guard E, secured to the outer circumference of said track, whereby the said shuttle-frame is prevented from rising, substantially as described.

6. In a machine for weaving insulated-wire covering, a shuttle-frame provided with a guard-wheel i, in combination with a shuttledriving frame provided with the piece (1 whereby the inner end of the shuttle-frame is prevented from leaving the track, substantially as described.

7. In a machine for weaving insulated-wire covering, wheels F, each of which is provided i with a pair of connecting-rods N N pivotally connected therewith, in combination with couplings n n, pivoted to said connecting-rods,

nected by said couplings, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CHARLES T. STETSON.

\Vitnesses:

WM. B. H. Dowsn, ALBERT E. LEACH. 

